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DELAWARE – Two of the area’s best proved to be among the state’s elite a week ago.

This weekend, Zane Trace’s Walt Petzel and Unioto’s Trevor Detillion received a chance to take it one more step, representing Ohio on Saturday in the annual Midwest Meet of Champions. Petzel placed fourth in the shot put (57-feet-4.75) and Detillion second in the discus (183-8) at Ohio Wesleyan.

“This was a lot of fun, and it was really cool getting to compete on the same team as a bunch of other people that I always competed against,” Petzel said. “It was just a fun experience to hang out with them and meet everybody.”

Neither competitor quite threw his best Saturday given the oppressive hot, humid conditions. Petzel did improve on each of his first four throws, not unlike how he did throughout the season.

Petzel’s season continues next weekend at the New Balance Nationals in Greensboro, North Carolina.

“I wanted to get over 60 again, but I knew I was going to have to come down eventually,” said Petzel, who was a state runner-up finisher. “I was able to get my (personal best) at districts, regionals and state, so I knew eventually I was going to have to come down from cloud nine. I would rather do it (Saturday) and then be back up for nationals.”

Detillion was just shy of the 187-9 he threw a week ago to repeat as state champion. The only person to beat him Saturday was McDonald’s Christian Smith, the Division III state champion.

“(The weather) affects the disc a little bit, but it was fun (competing),” Detillion said.

With the home track advantage, Ohio had a who’s who of competitors in each event and ran away with the team title, scoring 224 points and finishing way ahead of Michigan’s 130 and Indiana’s 119.

“Once I get my first mark in, every throw from there I am just trying to push it a little more,” Petzel said. “Sometimes I foul, and sometimes I catch a big one.”

Detillion will finish his season in two weeks at the USATF Junior Nationals in Eugene, Ore. Then the Scioto Valley Conference rivals will reunite at Kent State to compete collegiately.

“All of the hard work we’ve put in, it has paid off this year,” Detillion said. “We have done very well, and it is an honor to come and compete at a meet like this.”